Hidden in the crevice outside the valley, the four were like the most patient hunters, quietly waiting for two days. During these two days, the exotic fragrance from the Vermilion Fruits in the valley grew ever more intense, with golden patterns flowing ever faster across the crimson fruit skins as if flames burned fiercely within—clearly on the verge of ripening. The massive shadow at the bottom of the pool also grew restless, occasionally moving its body slightly, churning the pool water into ripples. That fierce pressure belonging to a second-tier demon beast waxed and waned, keeping everyone hiding outside tense with anticipation.
The time was approaching!
On the morning of the third day, when the newly risen morning sun cast its first golden rays into the ring-shaped valley, landing precisely on the Vermilion Fruit tree in the center, all three Vermilion Fruits simultaneously erupted with dazzling crimson-gold radiance! The exotic fragrance instantly reached its peak, permeating the entire valley, even drawing several low-tier spirit birds that didn't know better to circle at the valley entrance!
They were ripe!
Almost in the same instant the Vermilion Fruits ripened, the pool water exploded open! A massive dark green form wrapped in a sky full of water spray shot up into the air!
What a terrifying python it was! Its body was as thick as a water bucket, over ten zhang in length. The dark green scales covering its entire body flashed with a cold, hard metallic luster in the sunlight. On its massive triangular head, a pair of vertical pupils was cold and emotionless, locked onto those three Vermilion Fruits emitting tempting auras. Its crimson snake tongue flickered in and out, issuing a teeth-grating "hissing" sound. This was the second-tier demon beast—Emerald Water Black-Scaled Python!
Its massive body coiled beside the white boulder, protecting the Vermilion Fruit tree at its center, apparently preparing to enjoy the fruits of its years of guardianship.
"Now! Move!" Mu Qingfeng gave a low shout, exchanging a glance with Liu Yun. The two shot out from their hiding place like arrows leaving the bow, rushing straight toward the valley!
"Beast! Take my sword!" Liu Yun arrived before her voice, the long sword in her hand erupting with dazzling red sword aura. Like a crimson lightning bolt, it didn't strike at the python's vital points but instead precisely slashed at the scales on its tail coiled by the boulder!
"CLANG—!"
Sparks flew in all directions! Liu Yun's long-accumulated sword strike, though unable to pierce the python's hard scales, succeeded in knocking off several scales and leaving a white mark. More importantly, that intense pain and provocation instantly enraged this fierce beast!
At the same time, Mu Qingfeng's form moved like wind. Rather than attacking directly, he circled rapidly around the python, his hands forming seals as concentrated green wind blades shot like sudden rain toward the python's relatively vulnerable areas—eyes, nostrils—unable to cause substantial damage but greatly interfering with its perception, making it increasingly irritable.
"HISS—ROAR—!"
The Emerald Water Black-Scaled Python was thoroughly enraged! The treasure it had guarded for years was about to ripen, yet two tiny "bugs" dared disturb it—and even wound it! It abruptly swiveled its massive head, the cold vertical pupils instantly locking onto Mu Qingfeng who kept harassing it and Liu Yun who had caused it pain. Abandoning the Vermilion Fruits within reach, its massive body sprang like a flood dragon emerging from water, carrying overwhelming waves and bloody wind as it lunged fiercely at the two!
It opened its mouth and sprayed—a jet-black water arrow exuding bone-chilling cold and intense corrosive aura shot like lightning toward Liu Yun! Where it passed, the air itself issued "sizzling" sounds.
Liu Yun was prepared. Her movement technique pushed to the limit, she became like a red phantom, dodging sideways at the critical moment. The water arrow struck a rock face behind her, instantly corroding a deep pit and emitting wisps of black smoke.
Mu Qingfeng relied on exquisite movement techniques, constantly weaving through the gaps in the python's attacks, always maintaining a close-yet-distant relationship with it, drawing it toward the other side of the valley.
The tiger-luring stratagem had initially succeeded!
Just as the python was led more than thirty zhang from the pool by Mu Qingfeng and Liu Yun, its attention completely captured by the two—
"Xiaoqi! Quickly!" Shi Jian, guarding the critical position at the valley entrance, gave a sudden low roar and cleared the path.
Xiaoqi, already prepared and primed, along with Chen Feng (another fellow disciple at sixth-layer Qi Refining, similarly tempted by the Vermilion Fruits and responsible for support, also with agile movement), became like two ghosts. Concealing their auras to the limit, they moved along the shadows at the valley's edge at maximum speed, silently rushing toward the white boulder at the pool's center!
Thirty zhang—perhaps merely an instant for a rampaging second-tier demon beast. But for Xiaoqi and Chen Feng, this was a race between life and death!
Xiaoqi pushed the "Willow Catkins in the Wind" movement technique to its limit. His toes lightly tapped exposed stones above the water surface, his form drifting and elusive yet fast as swift wind. In his hands he already gripped a jade shovel specifically for harvesting spirit medicines and a high-quality jade box.
Chen Feng followed closely, responsible for guarding against possible accidents.
In just a few breaths, the two had stepped onto that jade-like white boulder. Feeling at close range the vast spiritual energy and enticing exotic fragrance the three Vermilion Fruits emitted, Xiaoqi's heart nearly leaped from his chest. But he forced himself to calm down—his gaze sharp, his movements swift and steady.
He targeted the Vermilion Fruit with the fullest spiritual energy and clearest golden patterns. The jade shovel precisely probed into the connection between fruit stem and branch, his wrist giving a slight tremor as a gentle spiritual force transmitted through the jade shovel.
"Click."
A soft sound—that crimson-gold glowing Vermilion Fruit fell accordingly, landing precisely in the jade box Xiaoqi had already prepared in his other hand. He quickly closed the lid, affixing a spirit-sealing talisman to prevent spiritual energy loss.
The movement flowed like clouds and water without the slightest delay!
"Quick! Harvest another!" Chen Feng urged urgently from the side, his gaze nervously watching the other side of the valley. There, Mu Qingfeng and Liu Yun were engaged in a thrilling dance with the rampaging python—sword light and wind blades wildly colliding with python tail and water arrows, the roars continuous, the entire valley trembling.
Xiaoqi didn't dare delay, immediately turning toward the next Vermilion Fruit.
However, just as his jade shovel was about to touch the second Vermilion Fruit's stem, an abrupt change occurred!
The Emerald Water Black-Scaled Python seemed to sense something. It abruptly turned its head, those cold vertical pupils instantly spanning dozens of zhang to lock onto Xiaoqi and Chen Feng on the white boulder!
"HISS—!!!"
A hiss containing endless rage and killing intent exploded like thunder through the valley! It actually disregarded Mu Qingfeng and Liu Yun's attacks, its massive body violently twisting, abandoning the "provocateurs" right before it. Like a rampaging dark green mountain ridge, at even faster speed than before, it crushed toward Xiaoqi and Chen Feng at the pool's center!
Bloody wind assailed their faces—the aura of death instantly enveloped the two!
"Not good! It's coming back!" Chen Feng's expression changed drastically.
Xiaoqi's hand froze in mid-air. Looking at that massive snake head charging like a collapsing mountain, at that gaping bloody maw wide enough to swallow him whole, an ice-cold chill shot from his feet straight to the crown of his head!
The harvest was forcibly interrupted! Life and death hung by a thread!